Carbon Pollution Standards for New, Modified and Reconstructed Power Plants

Basic Information

Federal Register Citations:

Effective Date

Rule Summary

Carbon Pollution Standards for New, Modified and Reconstructed Power Plants apply to brand new sources built in the future or to an existing unit that meets certain, specific conditions described in the Clean Air Act and implementing regulations for being “modified” or “reconstructed.” In this final action EPA is establishing separate standards for two types of fossil-fuel fired sources:

stationary combustion turbines, generally firing natural gas; and

electric utility steam generating units, generally firing coal

These final standards reflect the degree of emission limitation achievable through the application of the best system of emission reduction (BSER) that EPA has determined has been adequately demonstrated for each type of unit.

Rule History

August 3, 2015 - Final Carbon Pollution Standards for New, Modified and Reconstructed Power Plants
EPA finalized Carbon Pollution Standards to cut carbon emissions from new, modified and reconstructed power plantsLearn More

April 29, 2016 – Petitions for Reconsideration
EPA denied five petitions for reconsideration on the final Carbon Pollution Standards for New, Modified and Reconstructed Power Plants.Learn More

On December 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency entered into two proposed settlement agreements to issue rules that will address greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants and refineries.

Fossil fuel-fired power plants produce electricity by burning fossil fuel – primarily coal. Petroleum refineries refine crude petroleum into a number of products including gasoline, kerosene, asphalt, lubricants, solvents and a variety of other products. These two industrial sectors make up nearly 40 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.